Knock-down office equipment



Nov.- 12, 1957 E. BERGMAN KNOCK-DOWN OFFICE EQUIPMENT Filed llay 13, 1953 r {Sheets-Sheet 2 .n'HIIllH .HHH

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INVENTOR.

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- KNOCK-DOWN OFFICE EQUIPMENT Filed May 1a, 1953 4 Sheets- Sheet 4 INVENTORI 0 BERG/IAN A TTOPNE Y United States Patent KNOCK-DOWN OFFICE EQUIPMENT Ed Bergman, New York, N. Y., assignor to Art Steel Co. Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 13, 1953, Serial No. 354,682 32 Claims. (Cl. 312-257) This invention relates to knock-down otfice equipment.

An object of this invention is to provide highly improved desk office equipment which may be easily assembled, and which may be built up to make various arrangements to meet requirements, such equipment including table tops, supporting legs, partitions, and means to hold cabinets beneath the table tops, and quickly detachable means to assemble these parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide office equipment of the character described, which may be easily assembled without special tools or skills, and which may be readily disassembled, and which shall be strong and rugged and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which shall yet be practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

in the drawings forming a part of this specification and accompanying the same:

Fig. 1 is a perspective exploded view of ofiice equipment embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, fully assembled together;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the ofiice equipment shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a' bottom plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, partial, bottom plan view of one end of one desk top section;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the bracket or partition holding clamps which interconnects a desk top section to a partition panel;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a Z shaped bracket used in assembling parts of the office equipment embodying the invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of one of the channel shaped desk top section holding clamps used in the assembly;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the elongated angle brackets or adjustment retainers used for positioning the cabinets beneath the desk top sections;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the leg holding brackets for attaching the legs of the partition to the leg panels;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the caps for three partition posts, herein called right angle lock caps;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a table lock cap for interconnecting two partition posts;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a single lock cap for capping a single partition post;

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view taken on line 15-15 of Fig; l4;

2 Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken on line 17-17 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view taken on line 18-18 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view taken on line 20-20 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view taken on line 21-21 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 22 is a cross sectional view taken on line 22-22 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 23 is a cross sectional view taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a cross sectional view taken on line 24-24 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 25 is a partial perspective view illustrating the attachment of one of the leg panels to one of the partition posts;

Fig. 26 is a cross sectional view taken on line 26-26 of Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a vertical cross sectional view through a partition but illustrating a modified construction;

Fig. 28 is a cross sectional view taken on line 28-28 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of another cap; and

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of still another cap.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates office equipment embodying the invention. It will be understood that the arrangement of the equipment 10 is illustrative of one arrangemennit being understood that by the addition of parts described herein, the equipment may be built up and extended to make various other arrangements. The arrangements shown in this drawing are merely illustrative to explain the equipment, and to build it up further requires duplication or addition of some of the parts shown herein.

The equipment 10 comprises a pair of similar partition panels 11 disposed at right angles to one another and interconnected to a filler post 12 to form a corner. Attached to each of the partition panels 11 and in alignment therewith, in a manner hereinafter appearing, is a partition panel 13. The filler post 12 comprises an elongated metallic tube of sheet metal, open at both ends. Said tube is preferably of substantially square cross section. One of its faces 15 is formed with a longitudinal slot 16 (Fig. 17). The slot 16 is not used in the filler post. However, similar posts 12 are used at the ends of the panels 11 and 13 and when used for partition panels the slots 16 are employed in the manner to be described hereinafter.

The partitions 11 each comprises a pair of tubular posts 12 interconnected by a partition panel plate 17. The plate 17 comprises a rectangular plate section 17a made of sheet metal. It is formed at its upper and lower ends with rolled horizontal tubular beads 18 and 19, respec tively. It is formed at the ends thereof with oifset flanges 20 at right angles to section 17a. The tubular beads 18, 19 fit between adjacent posts 12. The ends of section 17a pass through the slots 16 in opposed faces of the posts 12. The flanges 21) contact inner surfaces of the slotted faces 15 and may be spot welded thereto. The upper tubular bead 18 is located about an inch below the upper ends of the posts 12. The lower head 19 may be located about six inches above the lower end of the posts. The panels 13, likewise comprise panel plates 17 similar to the panel plates 17 of the partition panels 11 except that the panel plates of the partition 13 are wider than those of the partition panels 11.

Attached to opposite sides of each section 17a as by 3 welding are a pair of opposed aligned horizontal symmetrical rails 23 (Fig. 14). Each rail member 23 comprises a portion 24 welded to a face of section 17a. Extending from the upper end of portion 24 is a portion 25 inclined upwardly and away from section 17a. Extending from portion 25 is a vertical portion 26 parallel to section 17a and forming a channel or slot 2 7 therewith open at its upper end.

Extending from the lower end of each portion 24 and inclined downwardly and away from section 17a, is a portion 28. Extending downwardly from the lower end of portion 28 is a portion 29 parallel to section 17a but spaced therefrom at a greater distance than the space between portion 26 and said section. Portion 29 has a lower edge 29a which extends horizontally, and portion 26 has an upper edge 26a which also extends horizontally. Said members 23 extend from side to side on each section 17a but terminate short of flanges 2% so as to permit the faces 15 to be interposed between the ends of said members 23 and said flanges.

Mounted on each of the rails 23 is a rail shield 3%. Each shield 30 comprises a vertical wall 31 parallel to the section 17a and contacting portion 29 of the rail 23. Extending inwardly from the upper end of wall 31 is a top wall 32 contacting the upper edge 26a of portion 26 of the rail 23. Extending downwardly from the inner end of wall 32 is a flange 33 projecting into slot 27 and interposed between portion 26 of the rail and section 17a. Extending inwardly from the lower end of wall 31 is a bottom wall 34 from which extends downwardly, flange 35 contacting section 1711. Walls 34 are spaced below the lower edges 29a so that members 3%) may be assembled. Shields 30 may have end walls 31M contacting adjacent posts 12. Said shields may be spot welded to member 17.

The bottom walls 34 of the shields 39 are formed with spaced slots 34a. The shields for the narrow panels 11 are each formed with two spaced slots 34 whereas the shields for the longer partition panels 13 are each formed with two pairs of slots 34a. The purpose of these slots 34a will appear hereinafter.

It will be noted that the rails 23 are made of heavier metal than the shields 30 or plates 17 and serve to stiffen the partition panels.

It will be noted that the posts 12 of adjacent partition panels 11, 13 contact one another. They are interconnected by top double caps 36 and bottom double caps 36. The caps 36 are the same and are shown in perspective view in Fig. 12 of the drawing. These caps merely frictionally fit over a pair of adjacent posts 11 to keep them together.

The single posts 12 at the outer ends of the panels 13 are capped at each end by the single caps 37 shown in Fig. 13. The posts 12 at the adjacent ends of the panel 11 have corner contact and contact adjacent faces of the filler post 12 at the corner of the equipment. The three posts at the corner are capped at top and bottom by angle shaped triple caps 40 shown in Fig. 11 frictionally fitted on.

Attached to one of the partition panels 13 is a desk top 50. Said desk top 50 comprises a desk top panel 51 of sheet metal comprising a top wall 52 of rectangular shape. Extending downwardly from the front and rear ends of the top wall 52 are front and rear Walls 53 from which extend inwardly toward each other horizontal flanges 54. Extending downwardly from the ends of top wall 52 are end walls 55 (see Fig. 18). Flanges 54 are formed adjacent the ends thereof and at their inner edges thereof with shallow longitudinal notches 56 (Fig. 4). Each flange 54 is formed at its outer ends with pairs of openings 57 disposed beyond the notches 56, and is also formed with pairs of smaller openings 58 aligned with the ends of each notch.

Fixed to each flange 54 adjacent the ends thereof are angle members 59 (see Fig. 22). Each angle member 59 has a vertical flange 60 contacting the inner surface of wall 53 and a flange 61 extending inwardly from the lower end of flange 60 and resting on flange 54. The angle shaped members 59 are welded to flanges 54 and walls 53. The flanges 61 are formed with openings 62. registering with the openings 57 in the flanges 54.

Disposed alongside each anglemember 59 is an angle member 63 (see Figs. 14, l5, 16). Each member 63 has a flange 64 contacting the inner surface of wall 53 and a horizontal flange 65 spaced somewhat above the bottom flange 54. Each flange 65 is formed with a pair of through openings 66 aligned with the openings 58. It will be observed that members 63 register with the notches 56. Flanges 64 are welded to walls 53.

Mounted on the ends of each flange 65 are spring nuts 67 engaging upper and lower surfaces of said flange. The spring nuts have openings aligned with the openings 66 and 58 for the purpose hereinafter appearing. It will be noted that flanges 54 are also formed with small openings 69 at the outer sides of the openings 53, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

Attached to the underside of top wall 52 are a pair of similar, symmetrically disposed, elongated stiffeners 79 made of sheet metal. Each stiffener 70 comprises an outer flange 71 contacting the underside of top wall 52. Extending downwardly from flange 71 is a wall 72 from which extends inwardly, a horizontal wall 73. Extending downwardly from wall 73 is a wall 74 from which extends another horizontal wall 75. Extending upwardly from wall 75 is a wall 76 and extending from said wall 76 isa flange 77 welded to top wall 52. The stiflener extends the entire length of the desk top substantially to the end walls 55.

Each wall 75 is formed adjacent the ends thereof with a short upwardly pressed substantially rectangular wall 78 (Figs. 18, 19, 20) formed with a rectangular opening 79. Slidable on the parallel longitudinal edges of wall 78 at said opening 79 is a nut holder 80 in which is mounted a nut 81. The use of the nuts 81 will be scribed hereinafter.

Said walls 75 are also formed with longitudinal cen tral elongated upwardly pressed walls 84 (Figs. 4 and 21) formed with longitudinal slots 85. On opposite sides of each upwardly pressed wall 8 are a pair of upward 1y pressed walls 86 formed with longitudinal slots 87. Slidably mounted on each of the upwardly pressed walls 84 and 86 are nut holders 80 supporting nuts 81. the same as the nut holders 80 and nuts 81 mounted on the upwardly pressed wall 78.

' Means is provided for attaching the rear longitudinal side of desk top 50 to one of the partition panels 13. To this end there is attached to each of members at the rear side of desk top 50 angle bracket or partition holding clamp 90 (see Figs. 6 and 14). Each bracket or clamp 90 comprises a bottom flange 91 from which extends upwardly a flange 92 formed with an outwardly curved lip 93 at its upper end. Flange 91 is formed with a pair of through openings 94 which register with the openings 58 and 66. Pressed upwardly from the flange 91 are a pair of lugs 95 which are received in the openings 69 in flange 54 to properly locate the angle brackets. The flanges 91 contact the undersides of flange 54 at the rear of the desk top 50. Flange projects upwardly through slots 34a and engages the inner surface of wall 29 of one of the rails 23 as shown in Fig. 14. Screws 96 project upwardly through the openings 94 and 69 and through the registering openings of the spring nuts (Fig. 15). The upper ends of the screws 96 engage the thread engaging edges 97 of the spring nuts 67, for firmly attaching the clamps 99 to the desk top. The clamps 90 clamp the desk top 50 to the partition panel ill.

The clamps 90 may be attached to either longitudinal side of desk top 50 so that either side of the desk top may be at the rear.

Means is provided for supporting the outer end of the desk top 50. To this end there is provided a table leg member 100. Said table leg member 100 comprises a flat wall or section or panel 101 of substantially rectangular shape, formed at its lower end with a transverse horizontal stiffening flange 102 (Figs. 25 and 26). Said panel 101 is formed at its upper edge with a pair of spaced shallow notches 103. Attached to the sides of the central panel 101 are a pair of channel members 104 each comprising a web 105 from which extend flanges 106 and 107. The flanges 106 are welded to the sides of panel 101.

At the lower ends of flanges 106 and 107 are inwardly extending lips 106a and 107a in the same plane, disposed below the plane of flange 102. Also extending from the lower end of web 105 is a flange 105a in the plane of the flanges 106a and 107a. The flanges 106a, 107a have inclined edges meeting inclined edges of flange 105a.

Mounted on the coplanar flanges 105a, 106a, 107a and welded thereto, is a plate 108 (Fig. 24), interposed between flanges 102 and 106a. Plate 108 is formed with a central screw threaded opening 109. Screwed within each opening 109 is a screw shank 110 projecting upwardly between flanges 106a, 107a and forming part of a leg panel glide 111. Each glide 111 comprises a lower button 112 from which the screw shank 110 projects upwardly. The button 112 contacts the floor.

Attached to the upper end of each web 105 is a leg bracket 115 (see Figs. 22 and 23). Each bracket 115 comprises an arm 116 welded to the inner side of web 105 and disposed between the channels 106 and 107. Extending from the upper end of arm 116 is a horizontal flange 117 offset or projecting to one side of said arm and adapted to overlie flange 61 of angle shaped member 59. Extending upwardly from flange 117 is a flange 118 coextensive therewith and adapted to contact the inner surface of flange 60 of angle member 59. Flange 117 is formed with a pair of through openings 119 adapted to register with the openings 57 and 62 of flanges 54 and 61, respectively. Mounted on the ends of each flange 117 are spring nuts 120 having openings registering with said openings 57, 62 and 119 to receive the threaded screws 121 screwed upwardly from the bottom and passing through said registering openings. Thus the screws 121 serve to attach the desk leg to the desk top. The desk top 50 is hence supported at one end by desk leg 1% and is clamped to the adjacent partition panel 13.

Means is provided to attach the lower end of the rear side of the leg member 100 to the adjacent post 12. To this end there is provided a leg holding bracket 125 (see Figs. 10, 25 and 26). The bracket 125 comprises a portion 126 contacting a face of post 12. Extending from portion 126 is portion 127 contacting another face of said post. Extending from portion 127 is a lip 128 engaging still another face of said post. Extending from the opposite end of portion 126 is a portion 129 contacting the split face of post 12 and extending from portion 129 is an end portion 130 formed with an opening 131 registering with an opening 132 in web 105. A screw 133 passes through the registering openings 131, 132. This screw is preferably a self tapping sheet metal screw for rigidly securing the bracket 125 to channel 104.

There is further provided a second desk top 140 arranged in a plane of the desk top 50 and disposed at right angles thereto. One longitudinal edge of desk top 140 is adjacent to and coextensive with a pair of aligned partition panels 11 and 13, whereas one end of the desk top 140 is adjacent to and coextensive with the other partition panel 11. The right end of desk top 50 as shown in Fig. 2, is adjacent one end of a longitudinal edge of the desk top 140.

The desk top 140 is constructed substantially similarly to the desk top 50 except that the desk top 140 is longer. Furthermore, whereas the desk top 50 is formed at each longitudinal side thereof with only one pair of notches 63 and has attached thereto only a pair of partition engaging clamps 90, each longitudinal flange of the desk top 140 has three pairs of spaced notches and is adapted to support three pairs of said brackets 90. Although the partition 13 to which the desk top 50 is anchored has four slots (or two pair of slots) 34a, only the outer two of said slots are employed to receive the flanges 92 of two clamps 90. However, the desk top 140 is anchored at its outer longitudinal side by four of said clamps 90, two of said clamps being used to anchor said desk top to one of the panel partitions 11 and two pair of said clamps to the adjacent partition panel 13.

It will be furthermore noted that the ends of the desk top 140 are supported by legs in the same manner as one end of desk top 50 is supported by said leg. The legs 100 which support the desk top 140 are similar in construction to the leg 100 heretofore described and they are attached by means of their brackets to the angle shaped members 59 in the same manner as heretofore described. Also one of the legs 100 is attached by the brackets to the post 12 at the outer end of the adjacent partition panel 13 in the same manner as the leg 100 which supports the end of desk top 50 is attached by said bracket 125 to its adjacent post 12.

Fixed to the underside of the desk top are longitudinal stiffeners 70a similar and symmetrically disposed with respect to each other and constructed exactly like the stiffeners 70 at the underside of the desk top 50 with the exception that while the latter is formed with a central upwardly pressed slotted portion 84 and upwardly pressed slotted portions 86 on opposite sides of said central portion, the former is formed with two pairs of upwardly pressed longitudinal slotted portions 141 each provided with a sliding nut holder supporting a nut, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Means is provided for attaching one end of the desk top 144} to the adjacent partition panel 11 (see Figs. 4 and 20). To this end there is provided a pair of Z-shaped brackets 145 (see Figs. 7 and 20). Each Z-shaped bracket 145 comprises a flange 146 from which extends a web 147 and extending from the web 147 is a flange 148. Flange 143 extends in a direction opposite to the direction of flange 146. Flange 146 is formed with a central through opening 146a. Flange 148 is formed adjacent the ends thereof with through openings 148a. Flanges 146 contact the underside of wall 75 of each stiffener 70a at the underside of desk top 140. With its opening 146a in registry with the opening in the nut 81, supported by the nut holder 30 it slides on the upwardly recessed portion 78 at the end of the desk top adjacent partition panel 11. Extending through each opening 146a is a screw 150, the shank of which is threaded to the nut 81.

It will be noted that the web 147 extends downwardly from flange 146 (see Fig. 20). Flange 148 extends toward the adjacent end flange 55 and contacts the same. Said flange 143 is located at a level just above the level of the lower edges of flanges 53, 55. Mounted on the ends of each flange 148 are spring nuts 151 having openings registering with the openings 148. Attached to each flange 148 is a clamp 90. The flange 91 of each clamp 90 is located at the underside of flange 108 of Z shaped bracket 145 and the attachment is by means of screws 153 passing through the openings 94 of flange 91 and passing through the openings 148a of the flange 148 and engagement of said screws with the spring nut-s 151. Flanges 91 pass through notches 103 in the leg panels. The flange 92 of each clamp 90 passes through openings 34a in the adjacent shield of the partition panel 11 and engages the lower end of the rail 23 in the manner herein above described. It will be noted that the clamp tends to press the end wall 55 of the desk top 140 against the shield and rail to provide a good clamping action.

Means is provided for attaching the end of the desk top opposite. to the end which is supported by the leg to desk top To this end there is provided another pair of Z shaped brackets attached to the undersides of walls 75 of stitfenens 70 of desk top 50 in the manner shown in Figs. 4, l8, and 19. The attachment of the Z shaped brackets 145 is also. by means of screws 1'50 engaging nuts 81 in the holders 80: slidable on the upwardly pressed portions 78 at the adjacent end of the stiffeners. It will be noted that the Z shaped brackets 145- shown in Fig. 1 8 are aligned with angle brackets 63 welded in place to the adjacent flange 53 of desk top 140. Flanges 148 of the Z shaped brackets 145 are connected to flanges 65 of brackets 63 by means of channel brackets (see Fig. 8).

Each channel bracket 160 comprises a web 161 from the ends of which extend parallel flanges 162. The web 161 is formed adjacent the ends of each flange 162 with a pair of openings 163. Openings 163 are spaced apart the same as the openings 148a in each Z shaped bracket 145 and also the same as the openings 66 in each angle bracket 63. The channel member 160 is attached by means of a pair of screws 165 which pass through one pair of openings 63 and one pair of openings 148a and are engaged by one pair of spring nuts 151. Said channel brackets are attached to the brackets 63 by means of screws 166 passing through the other pair of openings 163 in the channel brackets and through the openings 66 in the flanges 65 and engage the spring nuts 67. It Will be noted that one flange 162 engages web 147 of Z shaped bracket 145' while the other flange 162 engages the edge of flange 54. It will now be understood that the desk top 140 is supported on legs at opposite ends, is attached to desk top 50, and is clamped to two partition panels 11 and one partition panel 13.

Any suitable cabinets may be placed beneath the desk tops 50 and 140. Thus in Figs. 1 and 4, there is. shown a cabinet 170 mounted beneath the desk top 50 adjacent its leg 100, and another cabinet 171 placed beneath the desk tops 140 adjacent its outer leg 100. These cabinets may be of any suitable kind. They may be made up in stack sections or may comprise a single cabinet. They may be supported on any suitable legs 1731a and 171a. Means is provided to retain the cabinet against movement when placed beneath the desk tops.

To hold the cabinet 170 in place there is provided an angle shaped retainer bracket 175 (see Figs. 4 and 9). The angle bracket 175 comprises a flange 176 from which extends a flange 177. Flange 176 is formed with openings 176a adjacent the ends thereof. The angle bracket 175 .is placed transversely and contacts the undersides of the walls 75 of the stifieners 70 at the underside of desk top 50. The flange 176 contacts the wall 75 whereas the flange 177 contacts the side of the upper end of the cabinet. The retainer bracket 175 is attached to the desk top by means of screws 178 passing through openings 176a and engaging the nuts 80 in the holders 81 which slide in a pair of upwardly pressed portions 86.

The reason three upwardly pressed portions are provided on each stiffener 70 is so that various cabinets may be accommodated and to permit positioning of the retainer 175 at different places as required. In the same way another retainer member 175 is attached to the underside of the desk top 140, and holds the cabinet 171 in place. Here, likewise, each stiffener 70a has four upwardly pressed slotted portions 141 so that one or more cabinets may be accommodated and these cabinets may be of different widths and differently positioned and the slotted portions 141 permit attachment of the retainers 1'75 wherever required.

In Figs. 27 and 28 there is shown a modified construction of the partition panels. The partition panels 180 of Figs. 27 and 28 comprise a rectangular sheet of metal 181 similar to sheet 17a except that it terminates in an upper edge 182- at the level of the upper edges ofrails 184 to be described hereinafter. Otherwise sheet 181 8 has a beadat its; lowerend similar to head 19, and has at its ends, flanges: similar to flanges 20. The outer ends of sheet 181 pass. through the. slits 16. in the post-s 12 and its end flanges contact the inner faces of the posts and are welded thereto. The rail members 184 each comprise a portion 185 contacting sheet or plate 181. Extending upwardly and inclined outwardly from portion 135 is portion 18.6. from. which extends a vertical portion 187' parallel to. plate 181. Extending downwardly and inclined outwardly from portion 185 is a portion 183 from which extends downwardly portion 189. The pertions. 187 are spaced from opposite sides of plate 181 to. form slots. 190 therewith.

Mounted on each of the rails. is. a shield member 192. Each shield: member 192 comprises a flat wall 193 in a vertical plane from the upper end of which extends inwardly a top. wall 194. Wall 194 is located above the upper edge of the rail. Extending downwardly from wall 194 is a wall 195 and extending inwardly therefrom is a wall 196. contacting the top edge of the rail. Extending downwardly from wall 196 is wall 197 received within the slot 190. and interposed between portion 187 of the rail and plate. 181.

It will be noted that the upper edge 182 of plate 181 is located at the level of the upper surfaces of walls 196 of the shields. Thus a longitudinal horizontal groove is formed having at the bottom, walls 196 and the upper edge 18:2 and sides comprising walls 195.

Mounted on each of the. posts 12 above the shields 192 are panel clips 200;. There are a pair of similar symmetrically disposed. panel clips. mounted on each post 12 as shown in Fig. 2.8 of the drawing. Each clip 260 compri-sesa. portion 201 contacting the inner surface of the post at one side of the longitudinal slit 16.

Extendingfrom wall; 201 is a wall 202, passing through the slit. Extending from wall 202 is a wall 203 contacting the outer side of the post and forming with wall 201 a groove to. receive an edge portion of the post at the slit. Extending from the wall 203 is wall 204. It will be noted that grooves or sockets are formed between the walls 204. A panel 205 made of glass, wood, fibre board, or any other suitable material may be slidably mounted between the sockets formed; by walls 204 at its opposite edges. The lower end of the panel 205 rests in the socket formed at the upper end of the shields asshown in- Fig. 27.

It will be noted that the desk tops 50 and 140 are of the, same width. The leng h of the desk top 50 is equiva lent to the length of one of the partition panels 13, and said desk top is coextensive therewith. The width of one of the partition panels 11 is equivalent to the width of the desk top 140 so that one end of the desk top 140 is coextensive with said partition panel 11. The length of the desk top 140 is equivalent to the combined widths of a partition panel 11 and a partition panel 13, so that said desk top 140 is, coextensive lengthwise with a pair of attached together panels 11, 13.

While one set-up or unit has been illustrated in the drawing, it will be understood that other arrangements may be made, and parts added. Thus, for example, the partition panels 11 may bev detachably attached to the free ends of the desk tops 50 and 140 in the same manner as. one of the partition panels 11 are shown to be connected to one end of the desk top 140.

Furthermore, it Willbe noted that the slots 34a are in the shields on opposite sides of the partition plate 17a so that desk tops may be mounted on opposite sides of the partition panels supported on legs and attached together in a manner hereinabove described. Furthermore, the partition panels instead of being arranged in an angle as shown in Fig. 2, may be arranged as a T or in a cross, so as to make a three-section office or a four-section office. In such case the angular triple caps 4-0 would be replaced by T-shaped caps 210 shown in Fig. 29, or cross-shaped caps 211 shown in Fig. 30.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in 9 which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention in some detail, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In combination, a first elongated desk top, a second elongated desk top in the plane of the first desk top, and at right angles thereto, means to detachably attach one end of the first desk top to a side of the second desk top adjacent one end thereof, a leg detachably attached to the opposite end of the first desk top, a pair of legs detachably attached to the opposite ends of the second desk top, a pair of partition panels, means to attach the partition panels together in side by side relation, means to detachably attach the opposite side of the second desk top to said partition panels, a second pair of partition panels, means to detachably attach said second pair of partition panels together in side by side relation, means to attach a side of the first desk top to one of said second pair of partition panels, and means to detachably attach one end of the second desk top to the other of said second pair of partition panels, the means to detachably attach said one end of the first desk top to said side of said second desk top comprising a bracket attached to the underside of the first desk top adjacent said end thereof, an angle shaped member fixed to said side of said second desk top, and a Z-shaped channel bracket attached to both the Z-shaped bracket and said angle-shaped member.

2. The combination of claim 1, said channel shape bracket having flanges, one of said flanges engaging the intermediate portion of the Z-shaped bracket and the other flangeengaging a portion of the second desk top.

3. In combination, a partition panel comprising a pair of side posts, a panel plate interconnecting said posts, a rail attached to one side of the panel plate, a shield surrounding the rail and attached to said plate, said shield having an opening, a desk top, an angle shaped bracket having a flange attached to the desk top, and a second flange passing through the opening in the shield and engagingsaid rail. 7

4. The combination of claim 3, in combination with a leg to support said desk top, said leg comprising a pair of parallel channels, a leg plate interconnecting said channels, brackets attached to the upper ends of said channels, and means to detachably attach said leg brackets to said desk top.

5. The combination of claim 4, in combination with a bracket interconnecting one of the leg channels to one of the partition'panel posts.

6. In combination, a partition panel comprising a pair of hollow tubular parallel posts formed at their inner faces with longitudinal slits, a partition panel plate interconnecting said posts and having portions passing through said slits in said posts, and being formed with flanges engaging the inner surfaces of said posts, a rail attached to the partition panel plate and having an intermediate portion fixed to said plate and being formed with an upwardly extending flange spaced from the plate and a downwardly extending flange spaced from the plate, a rail shield attached to the plate and covering said rail, said shield having a wall contacting the downwardly extending flange of the rail, a top wall contacting the top edge of the upwardly extending flange of said rail, said shield further having a flange received between the upwardly extending flange of the rail and said plate, said shield further having a bottom wall disposed beneath the rail and a flange extending therefrom and contacting said plate, said bottom wall of said shield being formed with an opening, a desk top having a top wall, and a side wall extending from the top wall, and a horizontal flange extending inwardly from said side wall, an angle shaped member having an upwardly extending flange fixed to the inner surface of the side wall of the desk top, and a second flange extending inwardly from the upwardly extending flange and disposed above the inwardly extending flange of the desk top, and an attaching bracket to interconnect the desk top with the partition panel, said bracket having a horizontal flange, means to attach said horizontal flange to the inwardly extending flange of said angle shaped member, said attaching bracket comprising an upwardly extending flange passing through the open ing in the shield and engaging the inner surface of the downwardly extending flange of said rail.

7. The combination of claim 5, in combination with a leg to support one end of said desk top, said leg-comprising a pair of opposite vertical inwardly opening leg channels, a leg plate interconnecting said leg channels, a pair of leg brackets each having an arm fixed to the inner surface of one of the leg channels, and a flange extending from said arm and disposed horizontally, angle shaped members having flanges fixed to the side walls of the desk top and flanges'extending therefrom and disposed above the inwardly extending flanges of the desk top, and means for detachably attaching the horizontally extending flanges of the leg brackets to the inwardly extending flanges of said angle shaped members.

8. In combination, a desk top, comprising a top wall, end walls extending downwardly from said top wall, a second desk top extending at right angles to the first desk top and in the plane thereof, said second desk top having a top wall,'side walls extending downwardly from the side of the top Wall, and flanges extending inwardly from the lower ends of said side walls, the end wall of the first desk top contacting the side wall of the second desk top, an elongated stiffener attached to the underside of the first desk top, said stiffener having portions contacting the underside of the first desk top and a portion spaced from and parallel to said top wall of said first desk top, said spaced wall of said stiffener being formed with a slot, a nut holder slidable in said slot, a Z-shaped bracket having a flange overlying said slot and formed with an opening, a nut in said nut holder, a screw extending through the hole in said flange and screwed to said nut, said Z-shaped bracket having an intermediate flange extending downwardly from its first flange, and a third flange extending from the intermediate flange, an angle shaped member having an upwardly extending flange contacting and fixed to the inner surface of the side wall of the second desk top, and a flange parallel to the inwardly extending flange of said second desk top, a channel shaped bracket having a bottom wall, and means to screw said bottom wall to said third flange of the Z-shaped bracket and to the inwardly extending flange of the angle shaped member attached to the second desk top.

9. In combination of claim 8, and said channel shaped bracket having flanges one of which engages the intermediate flange of said Z-shaped bracket and the other of which engages an edge of the inwardly extending flange of the second desk top.

10. In combination, an elongated desk top, a second elongated desk top in the plane of and at right angles to the first desk top, means to detachably attach one end of the first desk top to one side of the other desk top, leg supporting means detachably attached to the other end of the first desk top, leg supporting means detachably attached to opposite ends of the second desk top, and partition panels detachably attached to a side of the first desk top and to one end of and to the opposite side of the second desk top.

l1. The combination of claim 10, and means detach- 151 ab y and a J'ns hIy a ta he t t e nders es at d desk tops, in space elation to the leg supporting means for retaining cabinets beneath; the; desk tops against movement lengthwise of the desk tops.

12. The combination of claim 11, in combination with means to. attach the leg supporting means of the first desk top. to a partition panel, and means for supporting one of the legsupporting means. for the second desk top. to another of said partition panels.

1-3. In. combination, a first elongated desk top, a second elongated desk top in the plane of the first desk top and at right angles thereto, means to detachably attach one end of the first desk top to a side of the second desk top adjacent one end thereof, a leg detachably attached to the opposite end of the first desk top, a pair of legs detachably attached to opposite ends of the second: desk top, a partition panel detachably attached to said, end of said second desk top and coextensive therewith, a second panel detachably attached to a side of the first desk top and coextensive therewith, means to attach said partition panels together, a third partition panel similar to the first partition panel, detachably attached to an opposite side of the second desk top and adjacent said end of said second desk top, and a fourth partition panel similar to the second partition panel, detachably attached to said opposite side of said second desk top, means for detachably attaching the adjacent ends of said third and fourth partition panels, and

means for detachably attaching the adjacent ends of said first and. third, partition panels.

14. The combination of claim 13, in combination with an elongated pair of stiffeners attached to the underside of each desk top and formed with longitudinal slots, and a transverse angle bracket adjustably attached to the pair of stiffeners of each desk top to retain a cabinet placed beneath the desk top against movement lengthwise of said desk top.

15. In combination, a first elongated desk top, a second elongated desk top, said desk tops being of equal width, the length of said second desk top being equal to the length of the first desk top plus the width of one of said desk tops means to detachably attach one end of the first desk top to one side of the second desk top adjacent to one end of said second desk top, a leg detachably attached to the opposite end of the first desk top, a leg detachably attached to the opposite end of the second desk top, a pair of partition panels one having substantially the width of one of said desk tops and the other having a width substantially similar to the length of the first desk top, means to attach the partition panels together in side-by-side relation, means to detachably attach the opposite side of second desk top to said partition panels, a second pair of partition panels similar to the first pair, means to detachably attach said second pair of partition panels together in side-by-side relation, means to attach the outer side of the first desk top to one of said second pair of partition panels, and means to detachably attach one end of the second desk top to the other of said second pair of partition panels.

16. In the combination recited in claim 15, said means for detachably attaching the second desk top to said other of said second pair of partition panels comprising a Z-shaped bracket provided with a flange, means to attach said flange to said desk top, an angle-shaped bracket having a flange attached to another flange of said Z- shaped bracket, said angle-shaped flange having an upwardly extending flange, said other of said second pair of partition panels comprising a rail, a shield surround ing the rail and formed with an opening, said upwardly extending flange on said angle-shaped bracket passing through said opening in said shield and engaging said rail.

17. In the combination as recited in claim. 15, each of said partition panels comprising 'a pair of side posts, 7 5

a panel plate interconnecting, said posts, a rail fixed to the panel plate, a shield mounted, on the panel plate and surrounding said rail, said shield having openings, and said means fiorattaching, the desk. top to the partition panels; comprising; angle-Shaped members having flanges attached to. the desk tops and flanges passing through said openings in the shields and engaging said rails.

18. In the combination as. recited in claim 17, said means for attaching together the partition panels in sideby-sidle relation comprising caps frictionally fitted over the upper and lower ends of adjacent posts of said partition panels, and means to detachably attach together the adjacent posts of the; first and second pairs of partition Panels, said. last-recited means comprising caps frictionally fitted on the upper and lower ends of said adjacent posts.

19, In combination, a first elongated desk top, a secondelongated desk top in the plane of the first desk top, and at right angles thereto, means to detachably attach one end of the first d sk top to a side of the second desk top adjacent one end oi the. latter, a leg detachably attached to the opposite, end of the first desk top, a pair of legs detachably attached to the opposite ends of the second desk top, a first partition. panel means, means to detachably attach; the Opposite side of the second desk top to said partition panel means, a second partition panel means, means to detachably attach a side of the first desk top to said second partition panel means, and means to. detachably attach one end of the second desk top to said second'partition panel. means.

20. In the combination as recited in claim 19, said means-for detachably attaching one end of the second desk top to said. second partition panel means comprising a Z-shaped bracket provided with a flange, means to attach said flange to said end of said, second desk top, an angleshaped bracket having a flange attached to another flange of said Z-shaped bracket, said; angle-shaped bracket having an upwardly-extending flange, said second partition panel means comprising a rail, a shield surrounding the rail and formed with an opening, and said upwardly extending flange on said. angle-shaped bracket passing through said opening insaid shield, and engaging said rail.

21. In the combination as recited in claim, 19, each of said partition panel means comprising a pair of side posts, a, panel plate interconnecting said posts, a rail fixed to the, panel plate, a shield mounted on the panel plate and surrounding said rail, said shield having openings, and the means for attaching the desk tops to, the partition panel means comprising angle-shaped members having flanges attached to the desk tops and flanges passing through said openings in the shields and engaging said rails.

22. In combination, a first elongated desk top, a second elongated desk top, means to detachably attach the first desk top to, the second desk top, leg means detachably attached to the first desk top, leg means detachably attached to the second desk top, a first partition panel means, means to detachably attach the second desk top to said first partition panel means, a second partition panel means, means to detachably attach the first desk top to said first partition panel means, and means to detachably attach the second desk top to said second partition panel means.

23. In the combination as recited in claim 22, said means for detachably attaching the second desk top to said second partition panel means comprising a Z-shaped bracket provided with a flange, means to attach said flange to said second desk top, an angle-shaped bracket having a flange attached to anotherflange of said Z-shaped bracket, said angle-shaped bracket having an upwardly extending flange, said second partition panel means comprising a rail, a shield surrounding the rail and formed with an opening, and said upwardly extending flange on said angle-shaped bracket passing through said opening in said shield and engaging said rail.

24;, In the combination as recited in claim 22, each of said partition panel means comprising a pair of side posts, a panel plate interconnecting said posts, a rail fixed to the panel plate, a shield mounted on the panel plate and surrounding said rail, said shield having openings, said means for attaching the desk tops to the partition panel means comprising angle-shaped members having flanges attached to the desk tops and flanges passing through said openings in the shields and engaging said rails.

25. In combination, a first elongated desk top, a second elongated desk top in the plane of the first desk top, and at right angles thereto, means to detachably attach one end of the first desk top to a side of the second desk top adjacent one end thereof, a leg detachably attached to the opposite end of the first desk top, a pair of legs detachably attached to the opposite ends of the second desk top, a pair of partition panels, means to attach the partition panels together in side by side relation, means to detachably attach the opposite side of the second desk top to said partition panels, a second pair of partition panels, means to detachably attach said second pair of partition panels together in side by side relation, means to attach a side of the first desk top to one of said second pair of partition panels, means to detachably attach one end of the second desk top to the other of said second pair of partition panels, and means adjustably attached to the underside of said desk tops to retain cabinets beneath said desk tops against movement lengthwise of the desk tops.

26. The combination of claim 25, the means for detachably attaching one end of the second desk top to said other of said second pair of partition panels comprising a Z-shaped bracket provided with a flange, means to attach said flange to said end of said second desk top, an angle-shaped bracket having a flange attached to another flange of said Z-shaped bracket, said angle-shaped bracket having an upwardly extending flange, said other of said second pair of partition panels comprising a rail, a shield surrounding the rail and formed with an opening, and said upwardly -extending flange on said angle shaped bracket passing through said opening in said shield and engaging said rail.

27. The combination of claim 25, each of said partition panels comprising a pair of side posts, a panel plate interconnecting said posts, a rail fixed to the panel plate, a shield mounted on the panel plate and surrounding said rail, said shield having openings, and the means for attaching the desk tops to the partition panels comprising angle-shaped members having flanges attached to the desk tops, and flanges passing through said openings in the shields and engaging said rails.

28. In combination, a first elongated desk top, a second elongated desk top of the same width as the first desk top, in the plane of the first desk top, and at right angles thereto, said second desk top being equal in length to the length plus width of the first desk top, means to detachably attach one end of the first desk top to a side of the second desk top adjacent one end thereof, a leg detachably attached to the opposite end of the first desk top, a pair of legs detachably attached to the opposite ends of the second desk top, a pair of partition panels, one as Wide as one of the desk tops, the other as wide as the first desk top is long, means to attach the partition panels together in side by side relation, means to detachably attach the opposite side of the second desk top to said partition panels, a second pair of partition panels similar to the first pair of panels, means to detachably attach said second pair of partition panels together in side by side relation, means to attach a side of the first desk top to one of said second pair of partition panels, and means to detachably attach one end of the second desk top to the other of said second pair of partition panels.

29. The combination of claim 28, in combination with means adjustably attached to the undersides of said desk tops to retain cabinets beneath said desk tops against movement lengthwise of the desk tops.

30. The combination of claim 28, the means for de tachably attaching one end of the second desk top to said other of said second pair of partition panels comprising a Z-shaped bracket provided with a flange, means to attach said flange to said end of said second desk top, an angle shaped bracket having a flange attached to another flange of said Z-shaped bracket, said angle shaped bracket having an upwardly extending flange, said other of said second pair of partition panels comprising a rail, a shield surrounding the rail and formed with an opening, and said upwardly extending flange on said angle-shaped bracket passing through said opening in said shield and engaging said rail.

31. The combination of claim 28, in combination with means to detachably attach the partition panel at the end of the second desk top to the adjacent partition panel at said opposite side of said second desk top.

32. The combination of claim 28, each of said partition panels comprising a pair of side posts, a panel plate interconnecting said posts, a rail fixed to the panel plate, a shield mounted on the panel plate and surrounding said rail, said shield having openings, and the means for attaching the desk tops to the partition panels comprising angle-shaped members having flanges attached to the desk tops, and flanges passing through said openings in the shields and engaging said rails.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,176,692 Smith Mar. 21, 1916 1,585,102 Langdon May 18, 1926 2,103,408 Eddy Dec. 28, 1937 2,226,735 Miller Dec. 31, 1940 2,296,782 Fischer Sept. 22, 1942 2,297,647 Chason Sept. 29, 1942 2,313,690 White Mar. 9, 1943 2,327,743 Rosenberg Aug. 24, 1943 2,484,283 Gilbert Oct. 11, 1949 2,596,663 Duffy May 13, 1952 2,616,774 Prince Nov. 4, 1952 2,636,224 Murdock Apr. 28, 1953 2,658,810 Ellis, et al Nov. 10, 1953 2,694,614 Dent Nov. 16, 1954 2,708,292 Buddi May 17, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 934 Great Britain 1913 OTHER REFERENCES The Magazine of Building, page 214 (Modular Oflice), July 1951. 

